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All-in-one method measures CO2 in concrete

A new device developed by University of Tokyo researchers can measure carbon dioxide captured in concrete quickly and accurately, skipping the need to crush concrete samples. This innovation aims to support global efforts to reach carbon neutrality and offset emissions from the concrete sector.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Advanced Concrete Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Palm oil by-product transforms into PVC thermal stabilizer: A breakthrough in recycling and sustainability

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize an organotin mercaptide-based thermal stabilizer from palm fatty acid distillate, offering a competitive alternative to existing PVC stabilizers. The synthesized material demonstrates superior thermal stability at lower dosages and is economically viable.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2024

Transition-metal-free zeolite catalyst for direct conversion of methane to methanol

Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 3, 2024

A novel multifunctional catalyst turns methane into valuable hydrocarbons

A novel multifunctional catalyst has been developed to convert methane into valuable hydrocarbons, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The catalyst's spatial distribution of Cu and acid sites determines the final products, with uniform distribution leading to stable and efficient methanol production.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Using solar energy to generate heat at high temperatures

Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

An adjuvant made in yeast could lower vaccine cost and boost availability

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have successfully produced the QS-21 adjuvant in yeast, which is currently extracted from tree bark. The production process is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for lowering vaccine costs and increasing availability.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2024

Co-production of steel and chemicals could help mitigate hard-to-abate carbon emissions

A Princeton-led study suggests that co-producing steel and chemicals could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from these industries. By redirecting steelmaking off-gas to chemical production, China can lower its hard-to-abate emissions and meet climate goals.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 26, 2024

NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic scientists replace fishmeal in aquaculture with microbial protein derived from soybean processing wastewater

Researchers at NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic develop a new, sustainable feed alternative for farmed Asian seabass, reducing reliance on wild-caught fishmeal. The single cell protein is cultivated from soybean processing wastewater, offering a promising solution to the aquaculture industry's environmental challenges.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2024

Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology have fabricated a small-scale energy storage device that can stretch, twist, fold, and wrinkle. The device features fine patterning of liquid metal electrodes using laser ablation, allowing it to maintain its energy storage performance under repeated mechanical deformations.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·DateApr 24, 2024

Securing competitiveness of energy-intensive industries through relocation: The pulling power of renewables

A new study suggests that renewable-scarce countries like parts of the EU, Japan, and South Korea could save between 18 to 38 percent in production costs by relocating their industrial production to countries with cheap renewable energy. The study's lead author argues that importing hydrogen via ship is not a cost-effective strategy fo...

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 24, 2024

How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation

A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024

"Drop industrial agriculture": Major study reports that people and environment both benefit from diversified farming, while bottom lines also thrive

A new global study by the University of Copenhagen and University of Hohenheim finds that diversified agriculture improves food security, biodiversity, and well-being while having no negative effect on yields. Strategies such as livestock diversification and soil conservation yield positive outcomes.

Researchers obtain promising results for control of pollutants in water

Researchers have developed a simple and sustainable method for monitoring and degrading a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. The new approach uses excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy and photochemical systems to achieve efficient degradation, outperforming traditional methods like chromatography.

Electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis: Towards an environmentally means of producing ammonia

Researchers at Tohoku University's AIMR have developed a novel approach to electrocatalytic ammonia synthesis, utilizing transition metal disulfides as catalysts. The breakthrough relies on the in-situ generation of S-vacancies on the catalyst surface, significantly enhancing nitrogen reduction activity.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMar 22, 2024

“Find pearls in the soil” unveiling the magic of hydrogen production from municipal sewage

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology created a novel catalyst that enhances the efficiency of reactions using contaminated municipal sewage to produce hydrogen. The catalyst, called nickel-iron-oxalate (O-NFF), successfully lowers the voltage required for hydrogen generation and promotes the urea oxidation reaction.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 13, 2024

The future is likely less skiable, thanks to climate change

A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a significant reduction in natural snow cover days globally, with popular ski hubs moving to remote areas. The European Alps, Australian Alps, and Japanese Alps are expected to experience the most decline, threatening local livelihoods and ecosystems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024

Paper coating biomaterials derived from anaerobic granular sludge may be cost-effective

Researchers have developed a cost-effective method to create waterproof and grease-resistant paper coatings using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from anaerobic granular sludge. The study found that EPS derived from waste sludge can improve paper coating properties, including water/grease-proofing behaviour.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2024

The dangers of misaligned product co-development contracts—and how they can derail innovation in high-tech firms

Researchers found that firms with mismatched positioning strategies, functional capabilities, and governance modes experience reduced innovation outcomes. Strong marketing capabilities are associated with increased innovation performance in joint development agreements for high differentiation-oriented firms.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateMar 5, 2024

Study uncovers the influence of the livestock industry on climate policy through university partnerships

A recent study reveals how animal agriculture companies shape public discourse and policymaking in their favor, downplaying their role in climate change. Industry-funded efforts have been bolstered by collaborations with academic researchers, hindering meaningful action on climate change mitigation.

Pore evolution secrets revealed: new study unlocks additive manufacturing potential

A new study has unlocked the secrets of pore evolution in directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing, revealing five distinct processes that contribute to their behavior. The findings provide a detailed understanding of how pores form, move, and interact within the melt pool during DED, enabling targeted strategies to mini...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2024

Novel material increases efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells

Researchers at São Paulo State University developed a method to enhance perovskite solar cells using MXene Ti3C2Tx, increasing power conversion efficiency by 15% and stability by three times. This breakthrough has promising implications for large-scale industrial production of stable high-performance solar cells.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateFeb 26, 2024

Biodiversity footprints for 151 dishes from around the world show that dishes with a larger impact on biodiversity tend to be meat, legume, or rice-based

A study of 151 popular dishes found that those made with beef, chicken, legumes, and rice have a significant impact on biodiversity. Dishes from Brazil and India were found to have large biodiversity footprints due to the conversion of natural habitats to agricultural land.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 21, 2024

Decarbonizing the world’s industries

The study found that decarbonising the industrial sector is technically possible with a mix of high and low-maturity technologies. Established carbon capture and storage technologies can save nearly 85% of emissions, while electric technologies can theoretically reduce emissions by 40-100%.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJoule·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 31, 2024